Preventative Vaccines: Bexsero & Trumenba

Frank Magliochetti Report

One of the biggest public health epidemics occurred back in 2014; Ebola and Meningococcal B were responsible. These two diseases took 10,000 people in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. These three countries have weak health systems, which is the reason why they were unable to treat their people.

In order to fight this disease, which made its first appearance in 1976, WHO (World Health Organization) had been trying to find a cure for many years. On August 8, 2015, WHO declared that Ebola and Meningococcal B is a disease of international concern and thus began the search for its vaccine. By late October, 2015 WHO had finally come up with two vaccines that were guaranteed to prevent Meningococcal B. Sadly; the cure for Ebola has not yet been found however, its vaccines trials are currently being conducted in Sierra Leone.

Meningococcal B is caused by bacteria called “Neisseria Meningitidis”. Neisseria Meningitidis has five serogroups: B, C, Y, W and A. The most common serogroups that affect people in the US is B, C and Y.

Meningococcal B disease is not caught through the air. In fact, it is a diseasewhich is transmitted from one person to another in close physical contact. The disease commonly spreads faster in the family due to the exchange of fluids from daily contact. The disease is found at the back of the throat and later causes sepsis. Sepsis is transferred to the blood that infects the blood stream, which causes damage to the brain and spinal column. Meningococcal B often results in liver failure, vision loss, amputation of limbs and death.

The two vaccines Bexsero and Trumenba specifically treat Meningococcal B and were approved by the FDA in October 2015. The trials for Bexsero were conducted in UK, Chile, Australia and Canada amongst 2,600 young adults and adolescents. The results were that the three infectious strains that cause Meningococcal were destroyed.

Another 5,000 participants in the trials conducted in the USA experienced headache, muscle and joint pain, chills, fatigue and diarrhea after receiving the vaccine. Whereas, 15,000 participants experienced less side effects. All in all, the FDA approved the vaccines because the side effects were not viewed aslong term or fatal.

An accelerated approval was used by the FDA to make this vaccine go public claiming that Meningococcal B is a life-threatening disease. The effectiveness of Bexsero was approved two months prior to the trials being conducted.

FDA recommends that the vaccine should be given to infants, children from the ages of ten till twenty three and people who have a weak immune system. It is recommended that more than one dosage should be given to people having serogroup B Meningococcal.

Anna Jaques, a non-profit Hospital in Newburyport, Massachusetts has taken extra measures and brought more doctors and experts on their team to prepare themselves if a patient with Ebola or Meningococcal B comes to their door.

Anna Jaques is a remarkable medical facility housed with some of the top health care professionals North of Boston.

Frank Magliochetti

With 2016 being the year of medical innovations, the vaccine for Meningococcal B has come as a godsend that will save millions of lives in rural areas where this disease is commonly found. The vaccines are set to be released worldwide by the end of the year.

Trumenba should not be given to anyone with a history of a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of Trumenba

Individuals with weakened immune systems may have a reduced immune response

The most common adverse reactions were pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, and chills

Data is not available on the safety and effectiveness of using Trumenba and other meningococcal group B vaccines interchangeably to complete the vaccination series

Tell your healthcare provider prior to the vaccination if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant

Ask your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of Trumenba. Only a healthcare provider can decide if Trumenba is right for you or your child

Indication

Trumenba is a vaccine indicated for individuals 10 through 25 years of age for active immunization to prevent invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidisgroup B

Trumenba is approved based upon demonstrated immune response against four group B strains representative of prevalent strains in the US. The effectiveness of Trumenba against diverse group B strains has not been confirmed

BEXSERO is a vaccine indicated for active immunization to prevent invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B. BEXSERO is approved for use in individuals 10 through 25 years of age.

Approval of BEXSERO is based on demonstration of immune response, as measured by serum bactericidal activity against three serogroup B strains representative of prevalent strains in the United States. The effectiveness of BEXSERO against diverse serogroup B strains has not been confirmed.

BEXSERO is contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity, including severe allergic reaction, to any component of the vaccine, or after a previous dose of BEXSERO

Appropriate observation and medical treatment should always be readily available in case of an anaphylactic event following the administration of the vaccine

The tip caps of the prefilled syringes contain natural rubber latex, which may cause allergic reactions in latex-sensitive individuals

Syncope (fainting) can occur in association with administration of BEXSERO. Ensure procedures are in place to avoid injury from falling associated with syncope

Vaccination with BEXSERO may not provide protection against all meningococcal serogroup B strains

Vaccination with BEXSERO may not result in protection in all vaccine recipients

AAP issues meningococcal B vaccine ( Trumenba & Bexsero) guidelines for adolescentsTrumenba and Bexsero have both been approved for the prevention of serogroup B meningococcal disease in individuals aged 10 through 25 years by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases.

Teaching kids to share is usually a parental goal, but a new ad from Pfizer may have some parents rethinking the parameters.

The first campaign for meningococcal group B vaccine Trumenba highlights the dangers of MenB, which can be spread through habits common among teens–including kissing and sharing drinks and food.

The TV ad shows a mother in the hospital with her stricken son, asking “how did we get here?” The ad then goes back through events earlier in evening showing the son sharing food and drinks with several different friends at a party and kissing a girl.

“The campaign was designed to reach parents of teens and young adults during the summer and back-to-school season, when many parents are thinking about steps they can take to help protect their child’s health, including vaccination,” she said.

Trumenba is one of two vaccinations to protect against MenB, along with GlaxoSmithKline’s Bexsero. But last year, the CDC’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) stopped short of granting the pair universal recommendation. The vaccines are recommended for young adults ages 16 to 23, with a preferred age of 16 to 18, which means that doctors decide on an individual basis whether to vaccinate their patients against MenB.

Frank Magliochetti is Managing Partner for Parcae Capital.

North Andover, Massachusetts

This column of posts is directed at the Healthcare Industry. Frank plans to release a new site dedicated to the industry. He currently assists companies who are building, restructuring, transforming and resurrecting there business’s. An example of his client base are, Xenetic Biosciences , IPC Medical Corp, Just Fellowship Corp, Environmental Services Inc., Parsons Post House LLC, ClickStream Corporation as well as having a business talk radio show; The Business Architect on the URBN network.